The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-02-24

nor, after the fashion or their sex, quoUe JneIr
ideas and opinions That exception was made
by Mrs. Hale.
"You have had no difference with MIR.
Falkner," she said, carelessly.
"No," said Kate, quickly. "Why"
"I only thought he seemed rather put out
at dinner last night, and you didn't propose
to go and meet him to-day"
"He must be bored with my company at
times, l dare say" said Kate, with an indif-
ference quite inconsistent with her rising
color. II shouldn't wonder if he was lit
tie vexe1 with Mr.. Lees chatting him about
his sport yesterday, and probably intends to
go further to-day and bring home larger
game. | think Mr.. Lee very amusing al
ways, but l sometimes fancy he lacks feel
ing"
"Feelingl You don't know him, Kate"
said Mrs. Hale quickly. She stopped herself.
but with half smiling recollection in her
dropped eyelids.
"Well, he doesn't look very amiable now,
stamping up and down the veranda. Per-
haps you'd better go and soothe him"
am really so busy just now" said Mrs
Hale, with sudden and inconsequcnt energy;
"things have got drcadfully behind in the
last week. You had better so, Kate, and
make him sit down, or he'll be OVERRIDING it.
These men never know any medium-in any
thing"
Contrary TO Kate's expectation, Falkner
returned earlier than usual, and, taking the
invalid's arm, supported him in more am
bilious walk along the terrace before the
house. They were apparently absorbed In
conversation, but the two women who OBJ
served them from the window could not help
noticing the almost feminine tenderness OF
Fallners manner toward his wounded
friend and the thoughtful tenderness of his
ministering care.
81 wonder" said Mrs. Hale, following them
with softly appreciative eyes, "f women are
capable of as disinterested friendship as men.
never saw anything like tho devotion of
these two creatures Lookl IL Mr. Falkner
hasn't got his arm round Mr.. Lees waist,
and Lee, with his own arm over FallSner's
neck, is looking up i'll his eyes declare,
Kate, it almost seems an indiscretion to look
at them"
Kate, however, 10 Mrs. Hale's indignation,
threw her pretty head back and shifted the
air contemptuously d really don't sec any
thing but some absurd sentimentalism of
their own, or some mannish wickedness
they're concocting by themselves. l am by
no means certain, Josephine, that Lees influ-
ence over that young man is the best thing
for him.
"On the contrary Lees influence seems
the only thing that checks his waywardness,"
said Mrs. Hale quickly. "rm sure, If any one
makes sacrifices it is Lee; shouldn't wonder
that even now he is making some concession
to Falkner, and all those caressing ways Of
your friend are for a purpose. They're not
much different from us, dear"
"Well, Iwouldn't stand there and let them
see me looking at them as if / couldn't bear
them out of my sight for a moment" said
Kate, whisking herself out of the room.
"Theyre conceited enough, heaven knows.
already"
mat evening at dinner, however, the two
men exhibited no trace of the restraint or un-
easiness of the previous day, If they were
less impulsive and exuberant they were still
frank and interested, and if the term could
be used in connection with men apparently
trained to neither selfcontrol nor repose,
there was certain gentle dignity In their
manner which for the timo had the effect of
lifting them little above the social level of
their entertainers For even with all their
predisposition to tho strangers, Kate and
Mrs. Hale had always retained u conscious
attitude of gentle condescension and superb
ority toward them-an attitude not incon-
unprovocativb of it; yet this evening they
found themselves impressed with something
more than an equality in the men who had
amused and interested them, and they were
perhaps little more critical and doubtful OF
their own power. Mrs. Hale's little girl, who
had appreciated only the seriousness of the
situation had made her own application Of
it. "Are you dow'in' away from Aunt Kate
and mammal" she asked, in an interval of
silence.
"How else can 1 get you the red snow we
saw at sunset the other day on the peak yon-
der?" said Lee, gayly "Tll have to get up
some morning very early and catch it when
it comes at sunrise"
"What is this wonderful snow, Minnie, that
you are tormenting Mr.. Lee forl" asked Mrs.
Hale.
"Oh it's a fairy snow that he told me all
about; it only comes when the sun comes up
and goes down, and if you catch ever SO little
of it in your hand it makes oil you fink you
want come uuel Wouldn't that be nicep
But to the child's astonishment her little
circle of auditors, even while asserting,
sighed
|, The red snow was thoro plain enough the
next morning before the valley was warm
with light, and while Minnie, her mother
and aunt Kate were still peacefully sleeping.
And Mr.. Lee had kept his word and was evil
IDENTIFY seeking it, for he and Fallsner were
already urging their horses through the pass, =
with their faces toward and Lit up by its glow.
tTo be ctinued.)